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lack of log drums through lack of timber |
| text: |
There were no log-drums in either Yimchungr Anr or Cheshorr and the villagers explained that they can no longer find tree trunks large enough (151) for a drum. This shortage of timber probably explains the energy with which the Tuensang villagers were trying to rescue their rice pounders and beams from the fire. Yesterday I noticed a new rice pounder being made from a tree trunk in the river bed which had been washed down during the rains. Everything points to an improvident use of the forest. In the Ao land, in spite of larger villagers, the jungle is in better condition and the hillsides are not cleared so ruthlessly. Aohukyu explained that here we are amongst the oldest Yimchungr villages and that the hills have been cultivated for many years. |
